SOLDIER AND MAKER
Aristides E. (Aristides Evangelus) Phoutrides translation
Soldier and maker swiftly I Seized with my hand the spear and spoke: "Fall on the beast of the world beyond And strike the eagle-wingèd lion!"
Before me with God's grace, I saw Soulless the griffin seven-souled, Blood spurting from a hole hell-like And scorching with its heat the grass!
And then restored with calm, I saw The savage strife like a day's dawn; And the destroyer, I, became
A maker; and with this same hand, I carve on ivory the man Who slew the beast and make him deathless.
1896.